FRC rodeo riders compete at nationals

James Wilson

Sports Reporter

6/20/2013

After an incredible season, winning the West Coast regionals and being ranked fourth in the nation, the Feather River College rodeo team fell at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., the week of June 9 – 15.

“Everything that could possibly go wrong did,” said FRC’s rodeo coach, Jesse Segura. “We drew the worst horses and we were just off our game. We just didn’t do what we needed to do.”

Though previously ranked fourth, the men’s team came in 48th overall and the women’s team came in 31st. Grant Denny, who last year took first in bareback riding, came in 19th this year.

Along with Denny, six other members of the team accompanied Segura to the College National Finals Rodeo. FRC was represented by Denny, Chant DeForest, Lucas White, Dylan Vick-Hice, Blaine Davies, Josh Garner, Brandon Mackenzie and Hanna Hundsdorfer.

In order to qualify for the nationals, each team member placed in the top three of their category at the West Coast regionals. The consistency of placing is what propelled FRC to the top spot in the West Coast region to begin with.

At the nationals, Feather River competed against the absolute best teams in the nation. The top 58 schools in the U.S. traveled to Casper, Wyo., to show off their talent.

Individually, each member of Feather River’s team was up against the toughest competition of his or her life.

Davies placed the highest for Feather River, coming in 12th in bareback riding. Garner was right behind Davies with a 13th placement in steer wrestling. “These kids worked really hard since the beginning of August last year,” continued Segura. “It’s tough seeing so much work result in so little payoff.”

Up to just three days prior to the national rodeo, Feather River’s team also competed in multiple pro rodeos and placed high in and won several of them. With only one bad rodeo performance this season, the team has the highest hopes for next year.